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US Government: Chapter 18 Test

True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false. Mark A for TRUE and B for FALSE on your answer sheet.
 

 1. 
Interest groups are reluctant (don’t want) to make use of lobbying, or the practice of approaching senators and representatives in the outer room of a capitol.
 
 
“Tempted by the staggering fees that lobbyists can command, lawmakers and their aides are quitting in droves to cash in on their connections. For many, public service has become a mere internship for a lucrative career as a hired gun for special interests.”
— Time, March 3, 1986
 

 2. 
Time magazine’s quotation supports the observation that many former government officials are taking the knowledge and relationships of their former job and using it in a new career in political lobbying.
 

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.  Mark the correct answer on your answer sheet.
 

 3. 
Lawmakers benefit from lobbyists because they sometimes provide _____________
A
campaign contributions.
C
unlimited meals and gifts.
B
research and writing of bills.
D
misinformation.
 

 4. 
This is the direct way interest groups try to influence government.
A
campaign contributions
C
public support
B
newsletters
D
lobbying
 

 5. 
Individuals learn their political beliefs and attitudes in a process called ___________
A
political socialization.
C
peer group pressure.
B
interest group influence.
D
lobbying.
 

 6. 
The set of values and beliefs about a nation and its government that most citizens share is called a ____________
A
public opinion.
C
political culture.
B
cluster sample.
D
peer group belief.
 

 7. 
This group of Americans believes in an active national government.
A
conservatives
C
moderates
B
liberals
D
the media
 

 8. 
This is a way of measuring public opinion.
A
cultural pluralism
C
mass media records
B
lobbying
D
polls
 

 9. 
Labor- and business-interest groups are concerned with this issue.
A
the environment
C
agriculture
B
public welfare
D
the economy
 

 10. 
This is the lobbyist's strongest weapon to influence political policy.
A
information
C
financial aid
B
gifts to legislators
D
propaganda
 

 11. 
The group to be studied in a scientific poll is called __________
A
the mass media.
C
the universe
B
a public-interest group
D
an interest group
 

 12. 
This is a small group of people who are typical of the universe.
A
representative sample
C
random sample
B
straw poll
D
biased sample
 

 13. 
This technique provides an equal chance for everyone in the universe to be selected for the poll.
A
cluster sample
C
straw poll
B
random sampling
D
representative sample
 

 14. 
Compare Political Parties to Interest Groups.  All of the following comparisons are false EXCEPT:
A
Both nominate candidates for political office and work to get them elected.
B
Both have members who support only a few issues and do not try to recruit others of a different view.
C
Both support candidates who share similar ideas.
D
Both groups are organized on the basis of common values and interests, rather than geographic region.
 

 15. 
The leaders of special interest groups are responsible for all of the following EXCEPT:
A
acting as speakers on behalf of the group.
B
raising money to run the organization.
C
keeping members informed of the group’s activities.
D
nominating candidates for public office.
 

 16. 
In performing their primary tasks to influence public policy, which of the following is legally available to lobbyists?
A
sending policymakers on vacation in return for special consideration
B
drafting bills for potential legislation
C
limited voting rights in congressional committee hearings
D
serving as both lobbyist and senator
 

 17. 
How your personal background and life experiences influence the formation of your political opinions is called _________
A
mass media
C
political socialization
B
public opinion
D
diversity
 

 18. 
Which of the following areas of political socialization include an example of the influence exerted by close friends of a labor union supporter?
A
family and home influence
C
mass media
B
schools
D
peer groups
 

 19. 
An individual's friends, church, synagogue, clubs, and work groups make up that person's
A
political culture.
C
interest group.
B
peer group.
D
universe.
 
 

Contributions by PACs
nar002-1.jpg
 

 20. 
During which of the following years did total PAC spending increase by approximately $50 million?
A
’91-92 to ’93-94
C
’95-96 to ’97-98
B
’85-86 to ’87-88
D
’97-98 to ’99-00
 

 21. 
According to the graph, total PAC spending decreased during what years, after rising steadily for eight years?
A
1989-1990
C
1993-1994
B
1985-1986
D
1999-2000
 

 22. 
The data from the graphs lead you to conclude________
A
PACs are more important than Interest Groups in influencing government.
C
Campaign contributions by PACs now influence the election of incumbent legislators.
B
PACs are the same as lobbyists.
D
Campaign contributions by PACs are an important source of campaign funding.
 
 
nar003-1.jpg
 

 23. 
Evaluating the results of a Poll:  What difference (in the number of Americans) did the Gallup Poll see in 1971 when they asked two similar questions about the Vietnam War?
A
Only about half of Americans answered the second question in agreement.
B
Twice the number of Americans answered the second question in agreement.
C
2/3 of Americans answered the second question in agreement.
D
Half of Americans answered in agreement to the first question posed by the poll.
 

Short Answer

Answer both (2) questions below in complete sentences.  Make sure your response is neat and legible.  5 points each.
 

 24. 
Civic Participation Why would a citizen who wants to influence government policy on an issue be better off working through an interest group than through a political party?  Explain the benefits of interest groups over political parties.
 

 25. 
Public Policy What are the advantages and drawbacks (disadvantages) for a legislator if he or she relies on a lobbyist for information about a political issue or proposed law?
 



 
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